Discovering how the Social Media that we build, builds us.

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Tag Archives: Self-actualization

In the year 1943, Abraham Maslow created his most notable work, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. In his theory, human needs are divided into five categories; Physiological, Safety, Love/Belonging, Self-Esteem and Self-actualisation.

His hierarchy of needs is usually portrayed in the shape of a pyramid/triangle, starting with the most fundamental at the bottom and the need for self-actualisation at the top. An individual need to master a category to be able to desire and move upwards to a new stage.

So how does this relate to social media?

Well, I’m betting that all of you who are reading my post have at least one social media account that you feel and have the need to open at least once a week, am I right?

Aside from physiological needs, which obviously need to be physical, our social media has been providing all the other stages of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

Let me introduce you to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Social Media:

PS: Note that the social media sites listed below are not restricted to one stage of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, it could overlap with two, three, or even all the stages. Also, there are still many other examples of social media that could be applied to this context. So below are just a few examples.

Safety- Linkedin, where you are able to find jobs and networks that could open doors for your career path.

Love/Belonging- Facebook, Google +, where you are able to reconnect and gain relationships, whether it is in the form of acquaintances, friends, lovers or family.

Self-Esteem- Twitter, where you are able to share your experiences, achievements that will help you boost your confidence and gain respect from others.

I really think social media has become a dominating factor in our lives. Whether we think of it just as a helpful tool to keep in touch with old friends, make new ones, or to be able to share our thoughts, just being able to access to all types of social media can actually make our life more fulfilled. Your thoughts?